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“My mindset was to go in and prove myself,” said Sands, who went 7-3 with a 2.68 ERA and showed the ability to throw three effective pitches for strikes – fastball, changeup and curveball. “I thought I accomplished some of the small individual goals I set for myself. Not that I had to check off any boxes, but I think I showed who I am.”

Sands, 22, made the most of his offseason in Tallahassee and was excited for the start of spring training in Ft. Myers.

However, on March 12, MLB announced it was canceling the remainder of spring training and delaying the start of the regular season amid the pandemic.

Sands returned home, where he has had to get creative in order to stay in shape. Networking has helped, too.

A number of former NFC and FSU players, including Arizona Diamondbacks starter Luke Weaver and Tampa Bay Rays prospect Taylor Walls, meet in small groups to throw, hit and condition.

Sands points to the sessions as an opportunity to enhance skills that need improvement.

“We’ve been doing anything we can to be ready,” said Sands, who throws a bullpen session (20 to 25 pitches) every Tuesday. “It’s nice that we have enough guys around to get everything done. We are out there working on our craft and staying motivated.

"Hopefully, we can see some light at the end of the tunnel.”

The minor league season was scheduled to start April 9. MLB has announced it will provide financial support for minor league players through May 31 or until the beginning of the minor league season, whichever happens first. The support includes medical benefits.

Sands remains upbeat despite the season’s delay.

This week he’s also visiting friends in South Carolina, including former FSU teammate Cal Raleigh, a catcher in the Seattle Mariners organization.

“It has been frustrating but it is what you make of it,” Sands said.

“They (baseball brass) will figure something out. I am looking at this as kind of a second offseason, an opportunity to get better. It’s good to see guys staying motivated and hungry.”